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World's End (comics)
Encyclopedia
"World's End" is a 2008
-2009 comic book
crossover
storyline published by Wildstorm
and taking place in the Wildstorm Universe
. The event takes place in the issues of all of Wildstorm's Wildstorm Universe ongoing series
.
with Wildcats drawn by Jim Lee
and The Authority drawn by Gene Ha
, but the pair encountered serious delays. Only one issue of Wildcats and two of The Authority ever shipped. Eventually, amid disapproving fan reaction, both series were cancelled.
Before the announcement that Morrison's series would not continue, Christos Gage
filled in with The Authority: Prime. The series shipped promptly, and Gage was hired to write a new cross-universe series Wildstorm: Armageddon
. Armageddon comprised six one-shots based on six of the relaunched titles, and led into successive bi-weekly limited series
Wildstorm: Revelations
and Number of the Beast
. These culminated in the World's End storyline, beginning July 2008, which documented worldwide catastrophe and saw several Wildstorm titles relaunched with new creative teams and a new status quo for the universe.
Wildstorm editor Ben Abernathy
described this storyline as a new direction for the Wildstorm Universe:
, several years in the future. She shows them a post-apocalyptic world, and asks them to help prevent it from coming about.
As a result of this visitation, the Kherubim
warrior known as Nemesis coerces Savant
and the new Backlash
to research possible endings of the world. As a result, they investigate various superhuman factions, usually violently. As a result of their investigations, Department PSI, which holds the corpse of the High, decides to place it somewhere safe, and hands it over to the NOTB Program.
The NOTB Program is a virtual-reality network built in the 1940s from Daemonite
technology. Its original purpose was to "warehouse" an army of posthuman
s from that period, and train them to fight against the Apocalypse of Christian (notably Protestant) mythology.
However, the High's corpse had already been used by Department PSI to create the Reaper ballistic missiles, whose warheads contained cloned versions of the High. These clones were programmed to attack superhumans. When the High's presence in the NOTB program destabilized the whole scenario(since he had been present in the 1940s but had been missing from the scenario) and the escaped inmates were captured by the Authority, the Reapers were let loose to clean the whole mess up. However, denied easy access to their targets, the Reapers went berserk, fighting posthumans and superheroes all over the planet.
The Reapers were also designed to explode after use, as a Plausible deniability
measure. When they exploded in orbit, they wreaked havoc on the Earth, inciting warming in the arctic regions, ice ages in the tropics, stripping away key parts of the atmosphere and starting fires that generating vast smog clouds. In addition to this, the Authority's Carrier crashed into London, creating a dust cloud that blocked out the Sun across most of Eastern Europe.
On the other hand, the supervillain known as Tao was clearly prepared for the disaster as well. He has been seen preventing access to time-travel and reality-altering technology and power to keep the world in its present, easily-conquerable state. He has implied that he started the whole affair, but no definite proof is forthcoming.
The WildCATs are operating from a HALO Corp building in Los Angeles. The forward planning of Hadrian, their former benefactor, means they were well-placed to survive the devastation, but they cannot make anymore supplies and need to be wary of over-extending. As well as this, a legion of Daemonites have moved into Los Angeles claiming homesteading rights, while Mister Majestic, unhinged by the disaster, has set up a kingdom in Hawaii based on Kherubim social mores and technology.
From their satellite headquarters, Stormwatch have inherited the original role of the Authority: to build a "finer world". However, they can only process so many refugees, and are stretched thin across an entire world. As well as this, Battalion, their leader, has grown harsh and unyielding under the pressure.
Off the radar, Gen13 stepped through a malfunctioning teleporter before the disaster, and came out a month after the disaster. They are still travelling, trying to find shelter and sustenance in the wasteland. Along the way, they must fight rabid posthumans and hard-edged survivor bands.
As this is going on, the villains make their moves. Kaizen Gamorra prepared his nation against the disaster, and is now the leader of a veritable superpower. Tao has an army with plans to use them for his own ends. Lord Defile is preparing to push the WildCATs out of Los Angeles. The Night Tribes are hunting the human population of Eastern Europe under the perpetual cloud cover. Sliding Albion has allied with the British government to preserve the British way of life. And in space, the Kherans make plans to conquer Earth.
:
2008 in comics
-January:*January 9: Teen Titans: The Lost Annual, delayed since 2003, is published.*January 23: Hellblazer #240, marking the 20th anniversary of the series, is released.-February:...
-2009 comic book
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
crossover
Fictional crossover
A fictional crossover is the placement of two or more otherwise discrete fictional characters, settings, or universes into the context of a single story. They can arise from legal agreements between the relevant copyright holders, or because of unauthorized efforts by fans, or even amid common...
storyline published by Wildstorm
Wildstorm
WildStorm Productions, or simply WildStorm, published American comic books. Originally an independent company established by Jim Lee and further expanded upon in subsequent years by other creators, WildStorm became a publishing imprint of DC Comics in 1999...
and taking place in the Wildstorm Universe
Wildstorm Universe
The Wildstorm Universe is a fictional shared universe where the comic books published by Wildstorm take place. It represents an alternate history of the real world where ideas such as interstellar travel and superhuman abilities are commonplace...
. The event takes place in the issues of all of Wildstorm's Wildstorm Universe ongoing series
Ongoing series
The term "ongoing series" is used in contrast to limited series , a one shot , a graphic novel, or a trade paperback...
.
Publication history
Both flagship titles, The Authority and Wildcats, were slated to be written by Grant MorrisonGrant Morrison
Grant Morrison is a Scottish comic book writer, playwright and occultist. He is known for his nonlinear narratives and counter-cultural leanings, as well as his successful runs on titles like Animal Man, Doom Patrol, JLA, The Invisibles, New X-Men, Fantastic Four, All-Star Superman, and...
with Wildcats drawn by Jim Lee
Jim Lee
Jim Lee is a Korean-American comic book artist, writer, editor and publisher. He first broke into the industry in 1987 as an artist for Marvel Comics, illustrating titles such as Alpha Flight and Punisher War Journal, before gaining a great deal of popularity on The Uncanny X-Men...
and The Authority drawn by Gene Ha
Gene Ha
Gene Ha is an American comics artist and writer best known for his work on books such as Top 10 and Top 10: The Forty-Niners, with Alan Moore and Zander Cannon, for America's Best Comics, the Batman graphic novel Fortunate Son, with Gerard Jones, and The Adventures of Cyclops and Phoenix, among...
, but the pair encountered serious delays. Only one issue of Wildcats and two of The Authority ever shipped. Eventually, amid disapproving fan reaction, both series were cancelled.
Before the announcement that Morrison's series would not continue, Christos Gage
Christos Gage
Christos N. "Chris" Gage is an American comic book writer and screenwriter.-Early life:Gage is the son of author and journalist Nicholas Gage. He was born in New York, and grew up in Athens, Greece, and then North Grafton, Massachusetts...
filled in with The Authority: Prime. The series shipped promptly, and Gage was hired to write a new cross-universe series Wildstorm: Armageddon
Wildstorm: Armageddon
"Wildstorm: Armageddon" was a crossover event in the Wildstorm Universe, written by Christos Gage and drawn by various artists.Armageddon led into a number of bi-weekly series, Wildstorm: Revelations and Number of the Beast, which resulted in the relaunch of a number of Wildstorm titles.-Issues:The...
. Armageddon comprised six one-shots based on six of the relaunched titles, and led into successive bi-weekly limited series
Limited series
A limited series is a comic book series with a set number of installments. A limited series differs from an ongoing series in that the number of issues is determined before production and it differs from a one shot in that it is composed of multiple issues....
Wildstorm: Revelations
Wildstorm: Revelations
Wildstorm: Revelations is a comic book limited series, written by Scott Beatty and Christos Gage with art by Wes Craig.After "Wildcats: Armageddon", Nemesis recruits Savant and Backlash to help her try to stop the end of the world....
and Number of the Beast
Number of the Beast (comics)
Number of the Beast is a comic book limited series, written by Scott Beatty, with art by Chris Sprouse.Number of the Beast was the second of a number bi-weekly series, it was preceded by Wildstorm: Revelations, which resulted in the relaunch of a number of Wildstorm titles.-Characters:As well as...
. These culminated in the World's End storyline, beginning July 2008, which documented worldwide catastrophe and saw several Wildstorm titles relaunched with new creative teams and a new status quo for the universe.
Wildstorm editor Ben Abernathy
Ben Abernathy
Ben Abernathy is the senior editor at WildStorm Productions a comic book company that also acts as an imprint of DC Comics.-Biography:Abernathy has held editorial positions at both Dark Horse Comics and Marvel Enterprises before moving to WildStorm....
described this storyline as a new direction for the Wildstorm Universe:
The "How"
Various heroes receive a warning, purporting to be from the heroine VoidVoid (comics)
Void is a fictional character in the Wildstorm Universe.-Fictional character biography:Adrianna was born in Arkhangelsk, Russia. Adrianna and her sister Svetlana were raised by their father after the death of their mother. Her father loved Adrianna and her ambition to become a cosmonaut and...
, several years in the future. She shows them a post-apocalyptic world, and asks them to help prevent it from coming about.
As a result of this visitation, the Kherubim
Kherubim
The Kherubim or Kherans are an alien race in the fictional Wildstorm Universe. They were created by Jim Lee and first appeared in WildC.A.Ts #1 .-Biology:...
warrior known as Nemesis coerces Savant
Savant (Wildstorm)
Savant is a comic book fictional character from DC Comics/Wildstorm.-Fictional character biography:Savant's real name is Kenesha. She is the daughter of Lord Majestros and Lady Zannah, better known as Zealot. However, Zannah, wanting to be a warrior, could not be a mother...
and the new Backlash
Jet (Wildstorm)
Backlash , formerly known as Crimson and Jet, is a fictional character of the Wildstorm universe. She first appeared in Backlash #9 and was created by Sean Ruffner and Brett Booth....
to research possible endings of the world. As a result, they investigate various superhuman factions, usually violently. As a result of their investigations, Department PSI, which holds the corpse of the High, decides to place it somewhere safe, and hands it over to the NOTB Program.
The NOTB Program is a virtual-reality network built in the 1940s from Daemonite
Daemonite
The Daemonites are a fictional alien race in the . They were created by Jim Lee and first appeared in WildC.A.T.s. #1 .-Biology:Daemonites are reptilian aliens from the planet Daemon, who are capable of possessing host bodies...
technology. Its original purpose was to "warehouse" an army of posthuman
Posthuman
Posthuman may refer to:*Posthuman, a hypothetical future being whose basic capacities so radically exceed those of present humans as to be no longer human by our current standards...
s from that period, and train them to fight against the Apocalypse of Christian (notably Protestant) mythology.
However, the High's corpse had already been used by Department PSI to create the Reaper ballistic missiles, whose warheads contained cloned versions of the High. These clones were programmed to attack superhumans. When the High's presence in the NOTB program destabilized the whole scenario(since he had been present in the 1940s but had been missing from the scenario) and the escaped inmates were captured by the Authority, the Reapers were let loose to clean the whole mess up. However, denied easy access to their targets, the Reapers went berserk, fighting posthumans and superheroes all over the planet.
The Reapers were also designed to explode after use, as a Plausible deniability
Plausible deniability
Plausible deniability is, at root, credible ability to deny a fact or allegation, or to deny previous knowledge of a fact. The term most often refers to the denial of blame in chains of command, where upper rungs quarantine the blame to the lower rungs, and the lower rungs are often inaccessible,...
measure. When they exploded in orbit, they wreaked havoc on the Earth, inciting warming in the arctic regions, ice ages in the tropics, stripping away key parts of the atmosphere and starting fires that generating vast smog clouds. In addition to this, the Authority's Carrier crashed into London, creating a dust cloud that blocked out the Sun across most of Eastern Europe.
The "Why"
The origins of the disaster are unclear. On the one hand, comments made by a Daemonite indicate that they originally sent the humans the technology because they intended for some disaster to happen, but how much of it was planned is unknown.On the other hand, the supervillain known as Tao was clearly prepared for the disaster as well. He has been seen preventing access to time-travel and reality-altering technology and power to keep the world in its present, easily-conquerable state. He has implied that he started the whole affair, but no definite proof is forthcoming.
The "What"
The Authority are active from London. Jenny Quarx went missing trying to contain the power source for the Carrier, and the current Doctor vanished after her. The electromagnetism of the crash has disabled the Engineer's powers, the smog means Apollo can act on Earth only for brief periods (since he needs sunlight to survive), and Jack Hawksmoor, uses a a wheelchair since there are no cities to sustain him. However, the heroes are active, trying to reactivate the Carrier's technology and fight off the machinations of groups who want that technology.The WildCATs are operating from a HALO Corp building in Los Angeles. The forward planning of Hadrian, their former benefactor, means they were well-placed to survive the devastation, but they cannot make anymore supplies and need to be wary of over-extending. As well as this, a legion of Daemonites have moved into Los Angeles claiming homesteading rights, while Mister Majestic, unhinged by the disaster, has set up a kingdom in Hawaii based on Kherubim social mores and technology.
From their satellite headquarters, Stormwatch have inherited the original role of the Authority: to build a "finer world". However, they can only process so many refugees, and are stretched thin across an entire world. As well as this, Battalion, their leader, has grown harsh and unyielding under the pressure.
Off the radar, Gen13 stepped through a malfunctioning teleporter before the disaster, and came out a month after the disaster. They are still travelling, trying to find shelter and sustenance in the wasteland. Along the way, they must fight rabid posthumans and hard-edged survivor bands.
As this is going on, the villains make their moves. Kaizen Gamorra prepared his nation against the disaster, and is now the leader of a veritable superpower. Tao has an army with plans to use them for his own ends. Lord Defile is preparing to push the WildCATs out of Los Angeles. The Night Tribes are hunting the human population of Eastern Europe under the perpetual cloud cover. Sliding Albion has allied with the British government to preserve the British way of life. And in space, the Kherans make plans to conquer Earth.
Titles
- Wildcats by Christos GageChristos GageChristos N. "Chris" Gage is an American comic book writer and screenwriter.-Early life:Gage is the son of author and journalist Nicholas Gage. He was born in New York, and grew up in Athens, Greece, and then North Grafton, Massachusetts...
, Neil GoogeNeil Googe-Biography:Googe's early comics work include a Shotgun Mary mini-series and work on 2000 AD, including a number of Judge Dredd stories....
and Trevor HairsineTrevor HairsineTrevor Hairsine is a British comics artist, whose detailed style has been compared to that of Bryan Hitch.In August 2005 Marvel Editor-in-Chief Joe Quesada named him as one of Marvel Comics's "Young Guns", a group of artists who have the qualities that make "a future superstar... - The Authority by Dan AbnettDan AbnettDan Abnett is a British comic book writer and novelist. He is a frequent collaborator with fellow writer Andy Lanning, and is known for his work on books for both Marvel Comics, and their UK imprint, Marvel UK, since the 1990s, including 2000 AD...
/Andy LanningAndy LanningAndy Lanning is a British comic book writer and inker, known for his work for Marvel Comics and DC Comics, and for his collaboration with Dan Abnett.-Career:Lanning works primarily at Marvel Comics and DC Comics as an inker...
and Simon ColebySimon ColebySimon Coleby is a British comic book artist who has worked mainly for British sci-fi comic 2000 AD and Marvel Comics.-Biography:... - Stormwatch: Post Human Division #13 by Ian EdgintonIan EdgintonIan Edginton is a British comic book writer.He is one of the few British comic talents to follow the reverse trajectory to the one usually taken: becoming successful in American comics before returning to work for 2000 AD.-Biography:...
and Leandro FernandezLeandro Fernández (artist)Leandro Fernandez is a comic book artist, known for his work on various Marvel comic book titles.-Career:Fernandez is best known for providing the art for The Incredible Hulk, Wolverine and Spider-Man: Tangled Web series, as well as one story arc of the Oni Press publication Queen & Country.His...
/Francisco Paronzini - Gen¹³ #21 by Scott BeattyScott BeattyScott Beatty is an American author who has written comic books and encyclopaedias based on DC Comics characters.-Biography:Beatty has worked extensively for the popular comic book publisher DC Comics since the mid '90s...
and Mike Huddleston
Back-ups
Back-up stories are told in four parts across the core titles, looking at some of the other Wildstorm characters:- "Lynch: One Last Thing", written by Christos Gage with artist Trevor HairsineTrevor HairsineTrevor Hairsine is a British comics artist, whose detailed style has been compared to that of Bryan Hitch.In August 2005 Marvel Editor-in-Chief Joe Quesada named him as one of Marvel Comics's "Young Guns", a group of artists who have the qualities that make "a future superstar...
, featuring John LynchJohn Lynch (comics)John Lynch is a fictional comic book character, published by Wildstorm. He is the head of Internal Operations. He has starred in Gen¹³, Team 7, Sleeper, and Wildcats.John Lynch is an homage to Nick Fury, the one-eyed head of Marvel Comics' S.H.I.E.L.D.... - "Dane: Loyalties", written by Christos Gage with artist Brandon Badeaux
- "Slayton: Gauntlet", written by Christos Gage with artist Mike McKoneMike McKoneMichael "Mike" McKone is a British comic book artist.-Career:McKone's first published works for the major companies included DC Comics' Justice League of America and Justice League International for DC Comics and The Punisher War Zone for Marvel Comics...
, featuring Marc Slayton - "Cybernary: Father Knows Best", written by Christos Gage with artist Pete WoodsPete WoodsPeter "Pete" Woods is a comic book artist, illustrator and penciller. He is best known for his work on titles such as Backlash, Deadpool, Robin, Catwoman, Amazons Attack and Action Comics.-Biography:...
, featuring CybernaryCybernaryCybernary is a comic book series created by comic book artist Nick Manabat with writer Steve Gerber and published by Wildstorm Productions in 1995... - "Stalking Horse", written by Christos Gage with artist Wes Craig, featuring Miles Craven, Hotfoot and Missile-Man
- "Get Christie Blaze", written by Christos Gage with artist Phil Noto, featuring Christie Blaze
- "The Tao of Tao", written by Christos Gage with artist John Paul LeonJohn Paul LeonJohn Paul Leon is an American comic book artist, known for his work on the Milestone Comics series Static, and the Marvel Comics limited series Earth X.-Career:...
, featuring TaoTao (comics)Tao is a fictional character in the Wildstorm universe.-History:The Tactical Augmented Organism was created by Optigen, a subsidiary of the Halo Corporation, on behalf of International Operations. As a child, he grew at an amazing rate... - "A Narrow Pass!" written by Russell Uttley, with artist Ben OliverBen OliverBen Oliver is a British comics artist who has worked for 2000 AD on Judge Dredd as well as providing art for The Authority, The Losers, and Ultimate X-Men-Biography:...
, featuring Lord Defile and Lady Decadence - "Into the Fire" written by Christos Gage with artist Ivan ReisIvan ReisIvan Reis , born 1976 in São Paulo, is a Brazilian comic book artist. He is known for his work on books such as Marvel Comics' Captain Marvel, and DC Comics' Green Lantern books...
, featuring Team Achilles - "Reunion" written by Christos Gage with artist Shawn Moll, featuring Team 7
- "Deathblow" written by Christos Gage with artist Chris SprouseChris SprouseChris Sprouse is an American comic book artist.-Biography:Chris Sprouse was born in Charlottesville, Virginia. At the age of 3 he moved with his family to New Delhi, India where he first discovered comics as he was unable to play outside due to the dangerous amount of snakes in the house yard...
, featuring Deathblow
Collected editions
The storyline is being collected into trade paperbacksTrade paperback (comics)
In comics, a trade paperback is a collection of stories originally published in comic books, reprinted in book format, usually capturing one story arc from a single title or a series of stories with a connected story arc or common theme from one or more titles...
:
- The Authority:
- World's End (collects, The Authority (vol. 5) #1-7, 136 pages, DC, August 2009, ISBN 1-4012-2362-1)
- Rule Britannia (collects, The Authority (vol. 5) #8-16, 192 pages, TitanTitan BooksTitan Publishing Group is an independently owned publishing company, established in 1981. It is based at offices in London, England's Bankside area. The Books Division has two main areas of publishing: film & TV tie-ins/cinema reference books; and graphic novels and comics reference/art titles. The...
, March 2010, ISBN 1848567510, DC, February 2010, ISBN 1-4012-2667-1)
- Wildcats:
- World's End (collects Wildcats (vol. 5) #1-6, 136 pages, DC, August 2009, ISBN 1-4012-2363-X)
- Family Secrets (collects Wildcats (vol. 5) #7-12, 128 pages, Titan, March 2010, ISBN 1848567448, DC, February 2010, ISBN 1-4012-2668-X
- Gen13: World's End (collects Gen13 #21-26, 136 pages, Titan, November 2009, ISBN 1848566131, DC, October 2009, ISBN 1-4012-2488-1)
- Stormwatch PHD:
- World's End (collects Stormwatch: PHD #13-19, DC, 136 pages, October 2009, ISBN 1-4012-2489-X)
- Unnatural Species (collects Stormwatch: PHD #20-24, 128 pages, August 2010, ISBN 1-4012-2852-6)
- Wildstorm: After the Fall (collects the back-up stories, 144 pages, January 2010, Titan, ISBN 1848566603, DC, ISBN 1-4012-2669-8)